Murder investigaton into Demarcus Chew killing continues

Local and state detectives continued to investigate the murder of a 27-year-old Burlington man early Sunday in the North Hill neighborhood.

Demarcus "Peanut" Chew was ambushed and killed about 6 a.m. as he sat in the backseat of a vehicle behind the apartment complex of his mother, Cassandara Taylor, at 1021 N. 5th St. He was shot multiple times at close range.

Lt. Greg Allen, commander of Burlington's criminal investigations division, said detectives from his department, along with special agents from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, spent Monday continuing to look for the killer.

"We are following up leads and have conducted several interviews," Allen said Monday afternoon. "It's an ongoing investigation."

Allen declined to say if detectives had developed any suspects or a motive in the killing.

He said an autopsy was performed Monday at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, but the results of the autopsy will not be released until tests are completed.

In a related matter, District Judge Mary Ann Brown took under advisement Monday a request from an attorney representing Demarcus Chew's brother, Timothy Chew, who is being held in the Des Moines County jail in lieu of a $750,000 bond awaiting sentencing Oct. 16 on two convictions relating to a gun battle May 10 in Burlington.

Curtis Dial, a Keokuk attorney who represents Timothy Chew, asked Brown to release Chew on his own recognizance or, in the alternative, grant him a furlough to attend his brother's visitation and funeral this weekend in Burlington. Dial said if Chew is not released on bond, she should order Des Moines County sheriff's deputies to transport him to the visitation and funeral and then return him to jail.

Des Moines County Attorney Amy Beavers opposed Chew being released from custody until sentencing, but said she did not oppose deputies escorting Chew under armed guard to the visitation and funeral.

Brown said she would take Dial's request for a bond modification and his request for the furlough under advisement. She said she would issue a written ruling within the next two days.

In opposing his release, Beavers said she is concerned about the danger to the community and A.J Smith specifically.

However, Dial put Chew on the witness stand. During questioning by Dial, Chew promised he would not seek out Smith or be a danger to the community if released on bond.

Chew was convicted last month by a Des Moines County jury of going armed with intent and assault with intent to inflict bodily harm following a gun battle with Smith about 9 a.m. May 10 in the 400 block of Central Avenue.

He was initially charged with attempted murder, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser charges. He now faces up to seven years in prison, but could also be placed on probation when he is sentenced Oct. 16 by District Judge Mark Kruse.

At the scene of Sunday's homicide, Taylor publicly accused Smith of "killing Demarcus or having one of his gang members do it."

Smith initially was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the gun battle, but that charge was dismissed after he reached a deal with Beavers to “cooperate and testify truthfully” at Chew’s trial. Smith was the only person injured in the gunfight. He suffered a superficial wound to his right temple.

Testimony at the trial indicated the shooting was the result of a long-simmering feud between Smith and Chew’s family. What started the feud was not revealed during the four-day trial.

“I believe that A.J. (Smith) had something to do with my son’s murder or some of his gang members did it,” the emotional Taylor said at the scene. “They hunted my son down, waited in the dark, ambushed him and killed him. They shot into the back seat of the car, where he was sitting. They meant to kill him.”

Following Monday's hearing, Taylor again confronted Beavers.

"If you are so worried about the community's safety, why isn't A.J. in jail?" she asked Beavers. "You are the one who dismissed the charges against him. You let him out of jail."

Beavers calmly told Taylor she could come to her office any time to speak with her about her decision to dismiss charges against Smith.

"I did that today (Monday) and you still haven't given me an answer," Taylor responded. "Just tell me why A.J. is not in jail. That's what I want to know."

The hearing to determine whether Chew’s $750,000 cash only bond should be reduced was initially set for 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Des Moines County Courthouse. However, Brown moved the hearing to the Des Moines County jail for security purposes.

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